Phillies Offseason Talk

[ice grillin you]

that's the headline but I can't read the article due to work filters.  If anybody would be so kind as to post the article, I would appreciate it.


Billy Wagner criticized the Phillies' efforts to retain him, telling the Mets' Web site his current team is "taking one step back to take one step forward" and calling the Mets' pursuit a "one-horse race."
The Phillies were believed to have upped their offer yesterday, guaranteeing a third year at roughly $30 million, but seem reluctant to trump Mariano Rivera's $10.5 million salary. The Mets initially offered three years at more than $30 million with an '09 option.







fwiw gammons said this morning that mets will sign wagner and the phillies will sign bj ryan for something like 4 years 36 million

[SunMo]

fwiw gammons said this morning that mets will sign wagner and the phillies will sign bj ryan for something like 4 years 36 million

that's the way I'd prefer them to go anyway.

[Rome]

Ditto, Mo.

Wagner's an asshat and his miserable defeatist attitude won't be missed by this observer.  Not one damn bit, in fact.

[ice grillin you]

i dont think ryan is a closer...hes a one year wonder at that position imo...hes a lot closer to buddy groom than he is billy wagner

it scares me to give a guy with 42 career saves in seven years that kind of money

that said it scares me to give wagner four years at his age

gammons was saying that wagner wasnt able to get batters out in the 8th inning this year cause he couldnt come out there in the 8th then sit down for a half inning and get back up for the 9th...he just wasnt physically able to do it.....yikes

[SD_Eagle5]

I wanted Wagner back but oh well. 4 years (or 3 with an option) at his asking price with his age is absurd.

imo i dont think ryan is a closer...hes a one year wonder at that position imo...hes a lot closer to buddy groom than he is billy wagner

it scares me to give a guy with 42 career saves in seven years that kind of money

36 of those saves were last season though. Sometimes it takes pitchers some time to find their niche, they're not starter material so they do the middle relief thing for a while and take advantage of the closer role when it's available. 4 years $36 million is a bit much, but that's the going rate for relief pitching. I like the Thome trade and am willing to give Gillick the benefit of the doubt (if this is true) for the time being.

[NGM]

Ditto, Mo.

Wagner's an asshat and his miserable defeatist attitude won't be missed by this observer.  Not one damn bit, in fact.

My thoughts exactly.  I originally liked his "firey" attitude until I realized he was actually just being a whiny bitc#.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Wagner's being ridiculous.  Getting Ryan is the only available and reasonable option.  Let's hope.

[Rome]

I'm wondering how Wagner's agent (aka PhillyPhreak54) is feeling about him now?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I understand Phreak's point of view, but even he doesn't want the Phillies to go 4 years on Wags.

If Billy can pull down 4 years, $40 mill from the Mets with a full NTC, more power to him.

[BigEd76]

it scares me to give a guy with 42 career saves in seven years that kind of money

Under that thinking, Eric Gagne only had 52 saves in 4 years after the 2002 season....

[MDS]

thats why we need proven closers like tim worrell and jose mesa back.

[ice grillin you]

Under that thinking, Eric Gagne only had 52 saves in 4 years after the 2002 season

not sure what eric gagne has to do with bj ryan...but fine im on board... throw the money at bj...hell what do i care it aint my money and theres no cap

but just remember i told you...the guy is NOT a closer

[BigEd76]

This was Ryan's first year as a closer.  Of course he didn't have many in his first 6 years.  Same thing with Gagne.  His first 3 years, he was a starter, not a closer....

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

If Ryan is the 2nd best available, and the best available is charging way beyond market value, then you get Ryan.

Or, they could just say out loud, "We suck and we know it," and go ahead and make Madsen or Padilla the closer.

[BigEd76]

Thome and Rowand passed physicals...trade became official at 5pm...